Drain apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a drain apparatus and method of covering a drainage inlet. In one embodiment the apparatus consists of a drain cover  10,  which is a dish or bowl like structure having outer and inner wall surfaces  13  and 14 respectively, base  15  and rim  16.  Outlet  12  is centrally positioned within the wall surfaces  13  and  14  and extends laterally through the base  15,  allowing the drain to draw liquid there through.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to drain apparatus. In particular, although not exclusively the present invention relates to a pool drain apparatus. However, it is envisaged that this invention will have application in other drainage systems such as cisterns, sumps, reservoirs and other liquid storage tanks and impoundments.

2. Discussion of the Background Art

Swimming pools generally include at least one drain in the bottom of the pool, usually associated with a drainage and filtration system.

In most in-ground pools, the drainage system includes one or more drains located in the lowest portion of the base of the pool. In order to prevent pool users from having their hair, fingers or other body appendages caught in the drain, due to the suction created from the intake of water for subsequent filtration, the drain is typically fitted with a grate or antivortex cover. These covers are typically of moulded plastic material and may be fixed to the drainage opening via screws or clips, which may be formed integrally with the cover during the moulding process. In essence the drain assembly thus comprises a relatively large-bore drain opening with a removable antivortex cover or grate, the cover or grate permitting the relatively low recirculation flow to occur, and the cover or grate when removed providing access to the drain for cleaning.

Fastening the cover with screws provides good security against inadvertent dislodgement or removal by children and is thus a safe way of securing the cover. However, fastening with screws requires the multiple application of a screwdriver to remove the cover for routine maintenance. Since the drain is necessarily at the deepest point of the pool, this may be difficult without breathing apparatus. Fastening the covers with clips also has it associated problem most notable of which is the ease in which they can be removed. Although this allows for ease of maintenance, a child could remove the drainage cover fastened in this manner with minimal effort. This is a cause of some concern as it negates one of the principle reason for the grates installation, namely to reduce the safety hazards associated with the drain's intake of pool water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention there is provided drain apparatus comprising:

At least one opening; and

-   -   a drain cover selectively engagable across said opening by         rotary engagement means selected to resist manual removal from         said opening, said drain cover including an outlet allowing         liquid to pass through said drain cover.

The drain may comprise a floor or wall drain of a reservoir of the liquid. The drain may extend above the surface of the wall or floor or may comprise a substantially flush opening therethrough. The cover member may in use extend above the general plane of the drain opening or may be configured to be substantially flush with the reservoir surface in use.

The means providing the selective rotary engagement may take any suitable form including a threaded relation, a bayonet type arrangement, interrupted thread, child proof rotary engagement (such as means requiring concurrent axial pressure and rotary disengagement) or the like. One advantage of the use of such rotary engagement means is that these are of a nature that can be accessed by a tool on a handle usable from the water surface of a pool or the like.

The drain may comprise a metal or plastic body secured to or cased into the wall or floor of the reservoir. Alternatively the drain may be formed into the wall or floor of the reservoir by casting about a form. When the drain body comprises a plastic moulding this may be from the plastics routinely used in drain applications such as PVC, Noryl® or the like.

Suitably the drain cover is a dish or bowl shape having a base, a peripheral wall defining inner and outer wall surfaces, and preferably an upper rim finishing essentially flush with the bottom of the reservoir in use to avoid providing purchase for manual removal. The rotary engagement means may be associated with the outer wall surface.

Preferably the outlet is raised above the base to a height substantially co-planar with the rim via an outlet body thereby forming a well between the inner wall and the outlet. Suitably the well is filled with an appropriate filler which may further enhance the cover's resistance to manual removal by preventing purchase upon the outlet body. The filler may comprise material adapted to blend in with the material of the reservoir. For example, the annulus may be filled with concrete or grout, and may be finished with bound aggregate such as PEBBLECRETE or the like. By this means the drain cover does not provide hand purchase for removal. The outlet of the drain cover may take any suitable form. For example, the outlet may comprise a plurality of apertures separated by webs to form in combination an antivortex outlet. The antivortex or other outlet may be formed integrally with the drain cover or may comprise a separable or embedded outlet member

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided An assembly for covering a drain having at least one opening, the assembly comprising:

-   -   an insert adapted for installation about the at least opening of         said drain; and     -   a drain cover selectively engagable with the insert by rotary         engagement means selected to resist manual removal from said         insert, said drain cover including an outlet allowing liquid to         pass through said drain cover.

Where the assembly is to be fitted to existing drains (retrofitted) the insert is preferably of a sleeve construction secured within the drain about the opening by a suitable adhesive.

In instances where the drain is to be formed by casting about a form in the wall or floor of a reservoir, the insert may be an annular collar construction. In this case the collar is positioned about the drain opening such that during casting of the drain and reservoir the collar becomes embedded with in the reservoir super structure and finishing essentially flush with the floor or wall.

The insert may further include any suitable means for engagement such as a threaded relation, a bayonet type arrangement or an interrupted thread or the like for engagement with the means of selective rotary engagement of the drain cover.

In yet another aspect of the there is provided a method of covering a drain having at least one opening, said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing a drain cover having an outlet allowing the         passage of liquid into said drain;     -   (b) providing the opening of said drain and said drain cover         with complementary elements of a rotary engagement means,         selected to resist manual disengagement; and     -   (c) engaging said drain cover with said drain opening.

Where the drain is to be formed by casting about a form in a reservoir and the drain cover is a dish or bowl shape having a peripheral wall defining inner and outer wall surfaces, and preferably an upper rim finishing essentially flush with the bottom the reservoir. The method may further included the steps of casting the reservoir and filling the drain cover with a filler material adapted to blend in with the material of the reservoir.

BRIEF DETAILS OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 a is a top plan view of the drainage cover device of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 b is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 a taken through plane I-I;

FIG. 1 c is a perspective view of one embodiment drainage cover device;

FIG. 2 a is a top plan view of the insert of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 b is a sectional view of the insert of FIG. 2 a taken through plane II-II;

FIG. 2 c is a perspective view of the insert of FIGS. 2 a and b;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the complete assembly of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 a is a sectional view of the completed assembly of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 b is a partial sectional view of the completed assembly of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 c is a partial sectional view of the completed assembly of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 d is a sectional view of the assembly showing an alternate insert arrangement; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of one application of the drainage cover of one embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1 a there is illustrated one possible arrangement of the drain apparatus of the present invention. In this embodiment, the apparatus consists of a drain cover 10, which is a dish or bowl like structure having outer and inner wall surfaces 13 and 14 respectively, base 15 and rim 16. Outlet 12 is centrally positioned within the wall surfaces 13 and 14 and extends laterally through the base 15, allowing the drain to draw liquid there through.

FIG. 1 b is a cross sectional view of FIG. 1 a taken through plane I-I, outlet 12 is raised above the base 15 via outlet member 11 to a height substantially co-planar with the rim 16, thereby forming in this instance an annular shaped well between the inner wall surface 14 and the outlet 12. In this particular embodiment, the inner wall surface 14 is provided with a plurality of graduations. The first 14 a is shown as a terrace formed by an indentation of the outer wall surface 13, this indentation also narrows the base 15. The second graduation 14 b is shown as a rib formed integrally with the inner wall surface 14 near rim 16. During instance where the well is filed with a filler material adapted to blend in with the material of the reservoir wall or base, such as concrete, the graduations assist the adhesion of the material to the cover. The introduction of the filler material enhances the resistance of the cover to removal from the drain opening.

In operation the cover is installed across the drain opening by way rotary engagement with the drain body. The means by which the cover is brought into rotary engagement with the drain body may be by such arrangements as a threaded relation, a bayonet type arrangement, interrupted thread, child proof rotary engagement (such as means requiring concurrent axial pressure and rotary disengagement) which may be provided on the outer wall surface 13 of the cover. However it is to be appreciated such means need not always be provided in some instances the forces created during rotary engagement between the outer wall surface and the drain in combination with the filler material provided within the cover are sufficient to resist unaided manual removal of the cover.

In reference to FIG. 1 c there is illustrated a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the cover 10. As with the above discussed embodiment outlet 12 is raised above the base 15 via outlet member 11 to a height essentially co-planar with rim 16, thereby forming a well between the inner wall surface and the outlet. However, in this instance the inner wall 14 is graduated with a series of terraces 14 a, 14 b and 14 c respectively.

FIG. 2 a illustrates one possible configuration of the insert 20 of the cover assembly according to one embodiment the present invention. The insert 20 in this particular instance is shown as an annular collar construction having a central orifice 21 and flange 22 and lip 25. Disposed within the central orifice 21 is a plurality of lugs 23 spaced at discrete intervals 26.

With reference to FIG. 2 b there is illustrated a cross sectional view of the insert 20 of FIG. 2 a taken through plane 11-11. For clarity of description the insert may be considered as two separate portions a lip 25 and a lower wall portion 24 segregated by flange 22. It will be appreciated that the flange 22, lower wall portion 24 and lip 25 may be formed integrally. Lugs 23 are disposed within the central orifice 21 and positioned on the lower wall portion 24. The depth at which the lugs are positioned within the central orifice is dependent on the height of the drain cover 10.

Depicted in FIG. 2 c is a perspective view of the insert of FIGS. 2 a and 2 b showing central orifice 21, flange 22, lugs 23 and lower wall portion 24. With lugs 23 positioned at a predetermined depth within the central orifice and extending outwardly from the inner surface of the lower wall portion.

The completed assembly is illustrated in FIG. 3 a, cover 10 is positioned within the central orifice 21 of the insert 20.

The indentation in outer wall 13 which forms terrace 14 a of the cover 10 engages the lugs 23, preventing the cover from passing through central orifice of the insert, shown in FIG. 4 a. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 a the cover is retained within the insert primarily via the filler martial 50 and the frictional forces between the cover and the insert created upon rotary engagement of the cover with the insert.

As previously discussed the cover 10 may include further means for resisting manual removal such as a thread or bayonet fitting. FIG. 4 b illustrates a partial sectional view of the assembly wherein the cover is fitted with a thread 30 a on the outer wall surface 13. The thread provides an additional means for retaining the cover within the insert. The thread 30 a engages a corresponding thread 30 b provided on the inner surface of the lower wall portion of the insert. The cover is screwed down into position within the central orifice 21 until the indentation in outer wall surface 13, which forms terrace 14 a engages the lugs 23. In this embodiment it is the combination of the thread fitting together with the filler material 50 act to retain and resist the manual removal of the cover from the insert 20 and the drain opening.

FIG. 4 c illustrates a partial sectional view of the assembly wherein the cover is fitted with a plurality of bayonet fittings 31. As shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 c the lugs 23 are spaced at discrete intervals 26. As the cover is inserted into the central orifice 21 the bayonet fittings 31 are aligned with the intervals 26. As the bayonet fittings pass through intervals 26 the indentation in outer wall 13, which forms terrace 14 a engages the lugs 23. The cover is then rotated bringing the each of the bayonet fittings 31 into contact with a respective lug 23, securing the cover with in the insert and thereby providing further resistance manual removal of the cover from the insert 20 and the drain opening.

In FIG. 4 d there is illustrated an alternate form of the assembly in this form the insert is a sleeve construction. The sleeve construction consists of a central orifice 21 an outer and inner wall 26 and 27 respectively and lugs 23. The lugs 23 are disposed within the central orifice 21 and extend outwardly from the inner wall 27 into the central orifice 21. The lugs 23 are positioned on the inner wall 27 at a predetermined depth dependent on the height of the drain cover 10.

The sleeve construction is particularly useful for retrofitting existing drains with the cover of the present invention. The sleeve is in stalled within the drain body 40 and about the drain opening 43, such that upper edge 28 finishes essentially co-planar with the opening. The insert is typically secured into position within the drain body by a suitable adhesive. It is also to be appreciated that the above discussed examples regarding the additional securing elements such as the thread and bayonet fittings may also be used in conjunction with the sleeve embodiment of the insert 20.

One application of the covering assembly is in the field of swimming pool construction. The insert in the form of an annular collar sized to fit within the drain 40 defined within the pool's form work. The drain also includes a connection to the filtration system 42. Prior to laying the pool base the insert in positioned within the drain 40 about the opening 43, with the lower wall portion 24 extending into the drain body as shown in FIG. 5. Lip 25 finishes flush with the final height of the pool base 51. Flange 22 extends beyond the wall 41 of the drain 40 into the area of the pool base. Once the insert is positioned the base material 50 for the pool is laid, surrounding flange 22 and finished level with the upper edge of lip 25, thereby securing the insert 20 within the drain 40.

During the laying of the pool base the cover set aside and filled with the base material 50. The material 50 is poured into the well within the cover and finished flush with the upper rim 16 and level with the outlet 12. The cover is then set aside to cure.

Once the base and the cover are fully cured, the cover is placed into position within the insert in the manner discussed above. As the cover is filled with the same finish as the pool base the only visible components of the entire assembly are the outlet 12 and the upper edge of lip 25, thus maintain the aesthetic appeal of the pool finish. Furthermore as a minimal amount of the assembly is exposed to ultraviolet light and the chemicals within the pool water the assembly is less prone to breakdown or scaling as is the case with most conventional pool drain covers.

It is to be understood that the above embodiments have been provided only by way of exemplification of this invention, and that further modifications and improvements thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the present invention described herein. 

1. A drain apparatus comprising: at least one drain opening; and a drain cover selectively engagable across said at least one opening by a rotary engagement which resists manual removal from said opening, said drain cover including an outlet allowing liquid to pass through said drain cover.
 2. The drain apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotary engagement is selected from one or more of the following: a threaded relation, a bayonet type arrangement, or interrupted thread, and wherein said rotary engagement requires concurrent axial pressure for initial disengagement.
 3. The drain apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drain cover has a dish shape or a bowl shape.
 4. The drain apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drain cover includes, a base a peripheral wall defining inner and outer wall surfaces and an upper rim finishing substantially flush with the drain opening.
 5. The drain apparatus of claim 4 wherein said the retaining rotary engagement is associated with the outer wall surface of said drain cover.
 6. The drain apparatus of claim 4 wherein said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said drain cover to a height substantially co-incident with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall surface and the outlet body.
 7. The drain apparatus of claim 6 wherein the annular well is filled with a filler to prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said drain cover.
 8. The drain apparatus of claim 6 wherein said inner wall surface is angled; or stepped; or ribbed.
 9. A drain apparatus comprising: at least one drain opening to a wall or a floor of a reservoir for liquid; and a drain cover selectively engagable across said opening by a rotary engagement which resists manual removal from said opening, said drain cover including an outlet allowing the liquid to pass through said drain cover.
 10. The drain apparatus of claim 9 wherein said drain comprises a plastic body secured to or cased into the wall or the floor of said reservoir.
 11. The drain apparatus of claim 10 wherein said drain cover in use is substantially flush with said wall or floor.
 12. The drain apparatus of claim 9 wherein the rotary engagement is selected from one or more of the following: a threaded relation, a bayonet type arrangement, or interrupted thread, and wherein said rotary engagement requires concurrent axial pressure for initial disengagement.
 13. The drain apparatus of claim 9 wherein the drain cover is a dish or bowl shape.
 14. The drain apparatus of claim 9 wherein the drain cover includes a base, a peripheral wall defining inner and outer wall surfaces and an upper rim finishing substantially flush with the drain opening.
 15. The drain apparatus of claim 14 wherein said rotary engagement is associated with the outer wall surface.
 16. The drain apparatus of claim 14 wherein said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said cover to a height substantially co-incident with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall and the outlet body.
 17. The drain apparatus of claim 16 wherein the annular well is filled with a filler prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said cover.
 18. The drain apparatus of claim 17 wherein said filler is adapted to blend in with the material of the wall or floor of said reservoir.
 19. An assembly for covering a drain having at least one opening, the assembly comprising: an insert adapted for installation about the at least opening of said drain; and a drain cover selectively engagable with the insert by a rotary engagement which resists manual removal from said insert, said drain cover including an outlet allowing liquid to pass through said drain cover.
 20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the rotary engagement is selected from one or more of the following: a threaded relation, a bayonet type arrangement, or interrupted thread, and wherein said rotary engagement requires concurrent axial pressure for initial disengagement.
 21. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the drain cover is a dish or bowl shape.
 22. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the drain cover includes a base, a peripheral wall defining inner and outer wall surfaces and an upper rim finishing substantially flush with the drain opening.
 23. The assembly of claim 22 wherein said rotary engagement is associated with the outer wall surface.
 24. The assembly of claim 22 wherein said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said cover to a height substantially co-planar with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall and the outlet body.
 25. The assembly of claim 24 wherein the annular well is filled with a filler to prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said drain cover.
 26. The assembly of claim 19 wherein said insert includes a surface shape complementary to said rotary engagement such that in use the surface shape and said retaining means rotary engagement co-operate to secure said drain cover within said insert.
 27. An assembly for covering a drain opening to a wall or a floor of a reservoir for liquid, the assembly comprising: an insert adapted for installation about the opening of said drain; and a drain cover selectively engagable with the insert by a rotary engagement which resists manual removal from said insert, said drain cover including an outlet allowing the liquid to pass through said drain cover.
 28. The assembly of claim 27 wherein the rotary engagement is selected from one or more of the following: a threaded relation, a bayonet type arrangement, or interrupted thread, and wherein said rotary engagement requires concurrent axial pressure for initial disengagement.
 29. The assembly of claim 27 wherein the drain cover has a dish shape or a bowl shape.
 30. The assembly of claim 27 wherein the drain cover includes a base, a peripheral wall defining inner and outer wall surfaces and an upper rim finishing substantially flush with the drain opening.
 31. The assembly of claim 30 wherein said rotary engagement is associated with the outer wall surface.
 32. The assembly of claim 30 wherein said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said cover to a height substantially co-incident with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall surface and the outlet body.
 33. The assembly of claim 32 wherein the annular well is filled with a filler to prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said drain cover.
 34. The assembly of claim 33 wherein said filler is adapted to blend in with the material of the wall or floor of said reservoir.
 35. The assembly of claim 27 wherein said insert includes a surface shape complementary to said rotary engagement such that in use the surface shape and said rotary engagement co-operate to secure said drain cover within said insert
 36. A method of covering a drain having at least one opening, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a drain cover having an outlet allowing the passage of liquid into said drain; (b) providing the opening of said drain and said drain cover with complementary elements of a rotary engagement selected to resist manual disengagement; and (c) engaging said drain cover with said drain opening.
 37. The method of claim 36 wherein the drain cover includes a base, a peripheral wall defining inner and outer wall surfaces and an upper rim finishing substantially flush with the drain opening.
 38. The method of claim 37 wherein said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said cover to a height substantially co-incident with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall surface and the outlet body.
 39. The method of claim 38 further including the step of: (d) filling the annular well of said drain cover with a filler to prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said drain cover form said at least one
 40. A method of covering a drain opening to a wall or a floor of a reservoir for liquid, comprising the steps of: (a) forming the drain within the wall or floor of said reservoir; (b) providing an insert about said at least one opening; (c) providing a drain cover having an outlet allowing the passage of liquid into said drain; (d) providing said insert and said drain cover with complementary elements of a rotary engagement selected to resist manual disengagement; and (e) casting the reservoir thereby embedding said inset within the wall or floor of the reservoir; and (f) engaging said drain cover with said insert.
 41. The method of claim 40 wherein the drain cover includes a base, a peripheral wall defining inner and outer wall surfaces and an upper rim finishing substantially flush with the drain opening.
 42. The method of claim 41 said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said cover to a height substantially co-incident with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall surface and the outlet body.
 43. The method of claim 42 further including the step of filling the annular well of said drain cover with a filler to prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said drain cover form said at least one opening prior to engaging said drain cover with said insert.
 44. The method of claim 43 wherein said filler is adapted to blend in with the wall or floor of said reservoir.
 45. The drain apparatus of claim 5 wherein said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said drain cover to a height substantially co-incident with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall surface and the outlet body.
 46. The drain apparatus of claim 45 wherein the annular well is filled with a filler to prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said drain cover.
 47. The drain apparatus of claim 45 wherein said inner wall surface is angled; or stepped; or ribbed.
 48. The drain apparatus of claim 15 wherein said outlet comprises an outlet body raising the outlet above the base of said cover to a height substantially co-incident with said upper rim thereby forming an annular well between the inner wall and the outlet body.
 49. The drain apparatus of claim 48 wherein the annular well is filled with a filler prevent gripping or purchase on said outlet body for manual removal of said cover.
 50. The drain apparatus of claim 49 wherein said filler is adapted to blend in with the material of the wall or floor of said reservoir. 